Brush cover



July ll, 1944, A. N. sPNEl. ETAL BRUsH COVER 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed May 2Q, 14940 g 1 ENTOES arpa/17,5 @na f/fe/f ATTORNEYQ July ll, 1944. A. NQsPANEL m-AL BRUSH cOvER Filed May 2o, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 5 hara ATTORNEY` July l1, 1944.

A. N. sPANEL E'rAl.'y

BRUSH COVER Filed May 20 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet l"5 INVENTORS Sjvmz zwT/oe/VEY Patented July 1l, 1944 g UNITED BRUSH COVER Abraham N. Spnel, NewYork, N. Y., and William F. Dester, Dover, Del.; said Dester assignor to said Spnel Application May 20, 1940, Serial No. 336,158

Claims. 20G-15.1)

This invention relatesto elastic brush covers and the like.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improvedelastic cover for brushes and the like which is readily applied to the brush and which may be partially removed therefrom when it is desired to use the brush.

It is another object of the invention to provide an improved cover for brushes and the like which adds but little weight and bulk to a brush to which it is applied and which remains attached to the brush when once it is applied thereto.

These and other objects of the invention will appear from the detailed description and the claims When taken with the drawings in Which:

Fig. l is a side view of a brush cover made in accordance with the present invention and showing the same applied to a tooth brushvof conventional design;

Fig. 2 is a view looking from the right of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side view similar to Fig. l but showing the position of the cover when the tooth brush is ready for use;

Fig, 4 is a slightly enlarged transverse section taken on the irregular line 4 4 of Fig. 1;

Fig, 5 is a slightly enlarged transverse section taken one line 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged vertical section of the cover taken on line 6-6 of Fig, 2; i

Fig. 7 is a side view of a modified brush cover made in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 8 is a view looking from the left of Fig. '7

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary section of the cover shown in Fig. '7, the section being taken on the line 9-9 of that figure;

Fig. 10 is a slightly enlarged transverse section taken on line Ill-I0 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 1l is a side View of a brush cover made in accordance with the present invention, the coverin this instance being adapted to completely enclose a tooth brush;

Fig. 12 is a view looking from the left of Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged section taken on the line I3-I3 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 14 is a side view of another modified brush cover made in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 15 is a View looking from the left of Fig. 14; Fig. 16 is an enlarged section taken on the line IB-IB of Fig. 14;

Fig. 17 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken on the line Ill-I1 of Fig. 14;

Fig. 18 is a side view of another modified brush cover made in accordance with the present inven tion; Y

Fig. 19 is an enlarged section taken on line 4I9--I9 of Fig. 18;

Fig. 20 is a side view ofanother brush cover made in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 21 is an enlarged vertical section taken on the line 2l-2l of Fig. 20;

Fig. 22 is a side View of a brush cover similar to that illustrated inFigs. '7 to 10 inclusive, but having a different `type of reinforcement integral With the margin surrounding the side and end openings; Y

Fig. 23'is -a transverse section taken on the line 23-23 of Fig. 22;

Fig. 24 is a longitudinal section taken on the line 24--24 of Fig. 22;

Fig. 25 is a side view of a brush cover similar to that illustrated in Fig. 22 but having side opening made in a slightly different manner; and

Fig. 26 is a longitudinal section taken on the line 26-26 of Fig, 25.

Referring to the drawings and particularly to Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive there is shown a preferred form of brush cover 5, which embodies the principles of the present invention. The cover 5, as will appear later, is preferably made of elastic rubber or its equivalents by depositing rubber, latex or the like on a form having a surface contour conforming to the interior surface of the cover. In Figs. 1 and 2, the cover is shown applied to a tooth brush 6 of conventional design, in a manner to encase the bristle end of the brush, while in Fig. 3 the position of the cover has been shown when the brush is ready for use.

The cover 5 is in the form of a seamless, hollow, elastic sheath which is larger than but roughly approximates the shape of the back 'l and the bristles `il of the brush 6. The sheath is closed except for an opening 9 in the restricted end I0 and an elongated opening H in the back thereof. Thel opening Il in the back of the cover preferably comprises a slit communicating with two spaced circular openings l2 providing flaps I3 which normally overlie the back 'l of the brushl but readily fold back to enlarge the opening Il when the end of the brush is removed thru the opening. By reference to Figs. 4, 5 and 6 it will be noted that the edges of the cover at each of the openings are strengthened by thickened sections VIll and I5 of rubber integral with the cover. It Will also be noted by reference to Fig. 5 that the interior of the cover or sheath 5 is amply ventilated since free circulation of air is alforded bythe back opening. While the restricted end I0 is" shown as snugly gripping the tooth brush handle, it will be understood that it may t lloosely if desired.

The cover 5 may be conveniently applied to the tooth brush 6 by inserting the lower end of the tooth brush handle I6 in the back opening I I and out thru the end opening 9 and sliding the cover along the handle until the restricted end I of the cover has reached approximately the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2-although at this time the bristle end of the brush will not be enclosed by the cover. Then, by grasping the closed endr of the cover while holding the restricted end I0 which now encircles the handle below the bristles, the cover may be stretched to enlarge the back opening II to allow the bristle end of lthe brush to be moved into the cover thru this back opening. When the stretching force is removed, the cover and tooth brush will be in the relation shown in Figs, 1 and 2.

When it is desired to remove the cover to expose the bristle end of the brush so that it may be used to clean the teeth it is only necessary to stretch the closed end of the cover lengthwise away from the brush to elongate the back opening II, the bristle end of the brush being passed thru the enlarged opening. The cover is then pull/ed down on the handle i6 out of the way to theV position shown inFig. 3, the cover remaining attached to the tooth brush handle since thehandle extends thru the back Vopening I I and the end opening 9 and is gripped by the .reduced end IQ of the cover. When the parts are in the relation shown in Fig. 3 the tooth brush may be used in the ordinary manner to cleanse the teeth. When the user has nished with the brush it is only necessary to rinse or cleanse the same and then apply the cover over the bristle end of the brush by reversing the procedure just outlined.

. In Figs. '7 to 1,0 inclusive, there has been illustrated a slightly modied form of the invention in which the elongated opening 26 has been provided in a side wall of the cover 27 rather than in the back as in the previously described cover 5. lThe modified cover 21 is also slightly different from the cover in that it is substantially symmetrical about its longitudinal axis so the bristles of the tooth brush may extend toward either edge 28 oi the cover when enclosed thereby. As in the previously described cover, the rnodied cover 21 .is providedwith a restricted end 29 having an opening 3G therein which receives the tooth brushrhandle. The edge of the cover 21 at the opening 2G, like the edge at the opening II of they cover 5, may be strengthened by avthiclrened section of rubber .l5 while the edge at the end opening 3G may be strengthened by a thickened sec-tion 3i of rubber having the configuration shown in Fig. 9. The cover may be made of the saine material and in the same manner as vthe cover. 5 by the use of a suitably shaped form as Y will appear later. The cover 2 isv applied to and removed from the bristle end of the tooth brush in substantially the same manner as the cover 5f and remains :attached to the tooth brush when once applied.l

Each vof the previously described covers enclose they bristle end only of the toothbrush andsince i-t may be desirable in certain instances to enclose the `handle also it .is proposed to provide a cover liti whichV completely encloses the tooth brush.V The yrncdied cover 'illustrated in Figs. 1l to l13 'inclusive comprises a tubular section 4I ofV a .length to receive the handleof la tooth brush and which is integral with the enlarged sheath i2. The sheath 42 may have the same config-ura- 75 tion as the cover 5 shown in Fig. l. While the lower end 43 of the tubular section 4I has been shown closed, it will be understood that this end may be left open if desired. The cover 40 is provided with an elongated opening 44 in the straight edge wall, which may be identical with the opening II of the cover 5, the edge of the cover at the opening preferably being reinforced by a thickened section I5 of'rubber integral with the cover as shown particularly in Fig. 13.

The cover 40 is applied to the tooth brush by passing the lower end of the handle thru the elongated opening 44 and sliding it into the tubular section 4i until the bristle end of the brush overlies the elongated opening. The enlarged end 42 of the casing is then stretched to enlarge the opening 44 to permit the bristle end of the brush to be moved into the cover. When the cover 40 has once been applied to the tooth brush, it is unnecessary to remove it entirely from the tooth brushsince the enlarged end 4Z may be removed when it is desired to use the tooth brush by passing the bristle end of the brush thru the opening 44 as in the casev of the .cover 5. The enlarged end i2 of the casing may be held along thehandle while the brush is being used to brush the teeth, in the manner shown in Fig. 3. The cover 4i! may be .made of the same material and in the same manner as the covers' and 21. u

The vmodif-led cover `52 shown in Figs. 14 to 17 inclusive is substantially identical with the cover illustrated in Fig. '7 except that the edge 53 of the cover along the slit-like portion of the opening 54 is not reinforced. The cover 52 is made .in substantially the same manner as the cover shown in Figs. 7 to l0 and is applied to and removed from the bristle end of a brush in the same mane ner as the previously described covers. J

The modied cover Si] shown in Figs. 18 andA 19 is similar to the covers 2'? and 52 illustratedin Figs. 7 and l4irespectively except that the edges of the cover at the end opening -BI and at the side opening 6'2 are not reinforced. The manner of applying this cover to and removing it from the bristle end of a tooth brush will be clear from Ythe description of the other covers., The cover E9 represents the simplest form ci the inf vention in that the side openingeSZ comprises a slit, the circular openings latthe ends of the slit shown in each lof the prior modifications having been dispensed with.

Thewcover 63 illustrated .in Figs. 2.0 and 21 is similar to the cover E!) illustrated in Figs. 18 and 19 except that circular openings 64 have been provided at each end of a slit t5 in the side wall of the cover. This cover is provided with an end opening :iii and is madeinthe same manner and is applied .to and removedV from the bristle end of a brush in the same manner as. the previously described covers.

The modied cover 70 illustrated inlFigs. A22, V23 and 241s similar to the cover 2'I shown in Fig. 14V but has a'different type of reinforcement integral with the margin at the side and end openings of the cover. The manner of applying this coverto and removing it from the bristle end of the brush will be clear from the description of the other covers. YThe edges at' the 'lend opening Il and the "side opening l2 are preferably `for-med by cutting or clicking and the margins'at'each of these edges is strengthened by a rib of rubber 13 in. tegral therewith. f Y Y l The cover .82 'illustrated in Figs.'25 and 26-is similar to the cover l' except that the reinforcing rib 13 `does not extend along the slit-like portion of the opening 83.

While the invention has fbeendescribed and illustrated with particular reference to tooth brush covers, it will be understood that the invention has general utility and may be embodied in covers for articles other than tooth brushes and that all variations, modiiications and adaptations which may fall within the scope of the claims are to be considered a part of the present invention.

What I claim is:

1. A brush cover comprising a seamless deposited rubber sheath having an opening of a size approximating the cross section of the portion of a brush handle to be received'therein, said sheath having an elongated opening in a Wall thereof spaced from said first-mentioned opening, at least a portion of the margin at one of said openings being strengthened by a reinforcement integral with said sheath.

2. A hollow brush cover made of seamless elastic material, having an enlarged portion corresponding approximately to the shape of the head of a brush and a tubular portion to receive the handle of said brush, said cover having a slit therein extending in a direction generally parallel to the long axis of said tubular portion said brush head being removable through said slit to partially disengage said cover from said brush.

3. A device of the class described, comprising a hollow, seamless, deposited rubber cover having an opening therein to receive the handle of a brush, said cover having a second opening therein spaced from said first mentioned opening thru which the head of said brush is movable into and out of said cover, the margins at each of said openings being strengthened by thickened sections of rubber integral with said cover.

4. A brush cover comprising a seamless, deposited rubber sheath shaped to receive the head of a brush, said sheath having an opening therein thru which the handle of said brush is adapted to extend, said sheath having a second opening therein spaced from said rst-mentioned opening thru Which said brush head is movable into and out of said sheath, said second opening comprising a slit-like portion communicating with rounded openings at each end thereof providing nap portions on said cover at said second opening.

5. A brush cover comprising a seamless, deposited rubber sheath shaped to receive the head of a brush, said sheath having an opening therein thru which the handle of said brush is adapted to extend, said sheath having a second opening therein spaced from said iirst-mentioned opening thru which said brush head is movable into and out of said sheath, said second opening comprising a slit-like portion communicating with rounded openings at each end thereof providing flap portions on saidcover at said second opening, at least a portion of the margin of said sheath at one of said openings being strengthened by reinforcements of rubber integral with saidsheath.

ABRAHAM N. SPANEL. WlLLIAM F. BESTER. 

